Spring-biased clapper type industrial power relay



2 sheets-sheet 1 l l2 4 l 2 W/ M0 a 3 .rw w 2 n W. 2 fg L ..-L w 1 p, 6 @MNA 7| I 6 d 3@ Sept. 28, 1965 T. J. oBszARNY SPRING-BIASED CLAPPER TYPE INDUSTRIAL POWER RELAY Filed Deo. l, 1961 ATTRNEKS.

INVENTOR.'

Sept. Z8, 1965 T. J. oBszARNY 3,209,095

SPRING-BIASED CLAPPER TYPE INDUSTRIAL POWER RELAY Filed Deo. 1. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AT TRNE YS United States Patent O 3,209,095 SPRING-BIASED CLAPPER TYPE INDUSTRIAL POWER RELAY Thedore .l'. Obszarny, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Guardian Electric Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill., a corp'oration of Illinois Filed Dec. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 156,544 11 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) This invention relates in general to industrial power relays, and more particularly to a power relay of the clapper ty e.

pSince power relays are constructed with the objective of controlling circuits carrying heavy currents and in which the components are subject to rugged usage, it is a matter ofsigniiicant concern to construct such a relay in a manner which will enable an eiective reduction in the overall size of the relay, while maintaining eiiiciency and still permit facile assembly of the components, together with an economical and Versatile mounting and wiring arrangement.

The invention is particularly concerned with a clapper type relay in which the armature is pivotally mounted on the heelpiece by means of an edge juncture about which the armature pivots and which usually is subject to easy displacement. To protect the armature and coil from accidental physical contact by objects, tools, etc., which might injure or misalign parts, an upside down mounting for the coil, heelpiece and armature is provided in which the armature is suspended between the coil and a mounting base with the heelpiece partially enclosing the coil to protect it.

Displacement of the armature often occurs during manual testing and pr-odding of the armature in order to ascertain the manner in which the components are functioning. The mounting base, therefore, incorporates a configuration or stop which cooperates with the armature to prevent displacement, while the armature is provided with an extension or tab that permits manual movement of the armature without the use of either a digit or instrument into the confined space beween coil and base. This novel arrangement serves to eliminate the hazard of electrical shock and the cooperative action of the stop and armature serve to avoid displacement of the armature.

The armature is provided with an insulator plate carrying a pair of movable contact blades for making contact with either Aof two respective stationary blades or switch members supported by the mounting base. A unique assembly of the blades on the insulator permits a wiping contact to be achieved. In addition, the insulator plate is arranged to operate a set of control contacts or auxiliary switch assembly, mounted on the base so that a compact, eiicient arrangement is provided for controlling one or` more auxiliary circuits.

In order for electrical connections to be established by the blades carried by the insulator plate, a novel terminal arrangement is provided in which separate looped wires are joined to the respective blades at their looped end and secured at their other ends to fixed terminals mounted on the base.

Likewise, the bobbin carrying the coil incorporates a novel coil terminal arrangement. Formerly the coil connections usually were extended to projecting lugs on the bobbin or seated against the coil winding, and the lugs were subject to being broken oi or being pressed against the coil windings, causing breaking or short circuiting of the coil. The present invention incorporates laterally pro- 3,209,095 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 incorporates a scerw fastener for fixing external electrical connections to the respective terminals. By constructing the base so that screw fasteners may be inserted from either side of the base, the problem of wiring the relay is considerably simplified and the relay is rendered extremely versatile.

Itis, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a clapper type relay having an improved and more economical construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a clapper type relay in which the armature is supported between a coil and a mounting structure or base and in which the armature is protected from displacement.

It is another object of this invention to provide a clapper type power relay of compact design and which is capable of facile manual test to ascertain its condition with minimum electrical shock hazard.

It is another object of this invention to provide a power relay in which the components are protected from mechanical abuse and/ or displacement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a clapper type power relay having a base upon which auxiliary contacts are mounted for operation by the armature of the relay.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a mounting structure for a power relay which facilitates assembly of the relay to the mounting structure, and which permits a versatile wiring procedure.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an improved bobbin structure for supporting the electrical connections to a coil carried by the bobbin.

jecting arms on the bobbin for supporting the coil ter- It is still a further object of this invention to provide a clapper type power relay in which the armature carries an electrical contact that is wipingly engaged with another contact on movement of the armature.

A still further object is to provide a novel mounting and association of an auxiliary switch, such as for operating signal lights, counting devices, interlock arrangements with coils of other relays, with the relay in a compact arrangement, requiring a reduced amount of space, and in a relatively simple manner, requiring a reduced number of parts.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top planview of the relay assembly embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the relay assembly;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the relay assembly;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the relay, taken along the line 4 4 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the mounting base 0n y;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the insulator plate carried by the armature;

b] FIGURE '7 is a perspective view of the armature assem- FIGURE 7a is a bottom View of the insulator plate;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a loop wire connection utilized for the blades carried by the armature;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective View of the bobbin for the coil;

FIGURE 10 is a partial view of one of the bobbin arms;

is adapted to control the contact or switch assembly 28 y for the making of auxiliary electrical circuits and for establishing test checking and interlocking circuits through the terminal structures 24 and 26.

` The main power circuits are controlled by duplicate sets of switching structures, and for convenience one set will only be referred to in detail.

The terminal structure 24 comprises a suspended cantilever blade or switch member 33 projecting in parallel relationship toward the coil and heelpiece assembly 30. Each blade 33 carries a contact 34 suspended above and aligned with a similar contact 35 carried by a respective terminal structure 26. A contact 36 carried at one end of a blade or switch member 37 forming part of the armature assembly 32 is adapted to normally engage with a respective contact 35, as will be explained. A contact 38 on the other side of the blade 37 is adapted to engage with a respective contact 34 when the armature assembly is operated, as will be explained. These contacts are of comparatively large size, rated to carry heavy currents such as, for example, amperes at 230 volts, 60 cycles, or 15 amperes at 115 volts, 60 cycles. An aperture adjacent the other end of each cantilever blade 37 permits it to be slidably mounted on a respective post 40, as seen in FIGURES 4, 7 and 7a'. The posts 40 each have their ends flattened to form a shoulder at 42 and the posts are received in respective apertures adjacent opposite sides of an insulator plate 44, carried by an armature 46. The other end of each post 40 is also provided with a shoulder 48 and a spring 50 is mounted between the shoulder 48 and a respective blade 37, serving to bias the blade toward the insulator 44. When the insulator 44 is in its normal position, each blade 37 slopes downward, as seen in FIGURE 4, so that contact 36 on each blade is engaged with a respective stationary contact 35. When the insulator plate 44 is operated incident to actuation of the armature, it carries blades 37 upward to separate contacts 35 and 36 and engages each contact 38 with a respective stationary contact 34, as will be explained.

The insulator plate 44 is formed of Bakelite or similar material and it has a central rib portion 52 located between the apertures in which the posts 40 are received. A depending flange or wall section 54 is formed on the central rib for the purpose of improving the stress characteristics of the insulator plate 44, and a depending extension 55, on wall 54 adjacent the front of rib 52, serves to control the auxiliary switch assembly 28. y This extension 55 is engaged with an actuator blade 56 of the switch assembly 28. The assembly 28 is a conventional spring pile up comprising cantilever spring blades or switch members 57 and 58 located respectively above and below. blade 56. The blade 56 is a cantilever spring whose free end is biased upwards against the projection or extension 55. The blades 56, 57 and 58 are xed in position on the base 22 by the screws 59, which clamp the blades to the base adjacent one end, together with insulators 60 separating the blades. A respective lug 61 projectingfrom the clamped end of each blade 56, 57v and 58, permits an electrical connection to` be established to the respective blade.

A pair of contacts 62 and 63, on opposite sides of blade 56 and adjacent its free end, are adapted to be brought into engagement with either contact 64 or 65 respectively carried by spring blades 57 and 58 respectively. Normally, the projection 55 on insulator plate 44 engages spring 56 to maintain contact 63 engaged with contact65, as seen in FIGURE 4,1and as will be explained. However, when the projection 55 is moved away from blade 56, as will be explained, the spring tension in blade 56 causes it to follow the projection 55.. Contact 63 will then move away from contact 65 and contact 62 will engage contact 64.

The insulator plate 44 is also provided with a pair -of oppositely extending, depending flanges or rib sections 66, projecting along the rear edge thereof, as seen in FIGURE 7a. The sections 66 are aligned and extend transverse to the longitudinal axis of the respective switch blades 37, and each section has a projection 68 thereon, which extends into a 'notch or recess 69, in the end of a respective blade 37. This arrangement prevents excessive rotational movement of each blade 37 about its post 40.

Each of the blades 37 also has associated therewith a braided wire loop 70 having a looped end 71, as seen in FIGURE 8, extending about a respective post 40. Each wire loop- 70 serves to extend an electrical connection from a terminal structure 72. The free ends of the loop 70 are clamped between the bent over ends of a conventional eyelet terminal piece 74 having an aperture 75 for fastening to the terminal structure 72, mounted on base 22'. The looped end 71 of the wire loop 70 is held in engagement with the respective blade 37, adjacent post 40 by a suitable dished ring 76 seen in FIGURE-'7a'.

The armature 46 is fastened to the central rib 52 of insulator plate 44 by means of rivets 77. The armature 46 comprises a at, soft iron element having notches or recesses 78 on opposite sides, adjacent its back end, to form a neck portion 80 between the, recesses. A tab or projection 81 extends from thel back end of armature 46 along its central axis, and a notch 82 is provided on opposite sides of the tab 81 to enable one end of a coil spring 82 to suitably engage and bias the armature 46. A ledge 82a is formed behind' each notch, and this has the function of engaging'a stop on the base.

The notches 78 receive correspondingly shaped horizontal projections 83V indicated in FIGURE 3, adjacent one end of a heelpiece or eld piece 84. The projections 83 prevent excessive front to back movement of the armature 46, and an edge 85 of thev heelpiece, as seen in FIGURE 3`, engages the neck portion 80 of the armat-ure 76- between projections 83 to serve as a pivot for the armature.

The heelpiece 84 is preferably of soft iron and is formed in an L shape indicated by the legs 86 and 88.

The leg 86 has a tine or tab 90 punched out therefrom,

adjacent the juncture with leg 88, and the other end of spring 82 is mounted thereon. Thus, the armature 46 is biased for movement about edge 83 in a clockwise di-y rection, as seen in FIGURE 4, by the spring 82, in a conventional manner to hold ther switch blade in the described position. The tab 81 extending from the rear edge of the armature, however, permits the armature to be easily actuated manually in either direction for testing the operation of the relay and the circuits controlled thereby.

The leg 86 of the heelpiece is provided with a pair of right angle horizontal flanges 92 at the end opposite leg 88. These anges 92l are located at opposite sides of leg 86 and are each provided with a threaded aperture 93 to permit the heelpiece to be mounted on base 22, as will be explained.

The leg 88v is connected to a soft iron core 94 upon which is mounted a bobbin 96 carrying a coil 98. The bobbin 96 is formed of insulating material such as plastic or ceramic, and includes a hollow cylindrical portion 100, havingA discs 102 and 104 on opposite ends thereof. The coil 98 is wound on the cylindrical portion 100- between discs 102l and 104 for creating a magnetic eld through the heelpiece 84 and core 94 to attract the armature when the coil 98 is energized. The core 94 extends through the cylindrical portion and is fastened at one end to the leg 88. The other end of the core projects through the disc 104. The projecting end of the core 94 is split and a locking member forced into the split to secure the core, bobbin and heelpiece together as an assembly. The disc 104 also has formed thereon a pair of outwardly extending horizontal arms 112 and 114, as best seen in FIGURE 9.

Arms 112 and 114 of the bobbin each has a recess 116 and 11611 in its top wall, adjacent a respective end. The bottom wall of each recess 116 and 116a is provided with a pair of apertures 117 and 118. The apertures 118 permit terminal lugs 120 to be fastened to each arm 112 and 114, totally confined within said recesses 116 and 116a, while the apertures 117 each permit a screw 121 on the terminal lug Ato be tightened down against an external electrical connection established to the terminal lug 120. The terminal lugs 120 are thus supported on the bobbin arms 112 and 114 so that they cannot be damaged,

broken off, or displaced by physical abuse.

A long slot 124 extends from recess 116a, in arm 114, to a substantially tangential position with respect to the cylindrical portion 100. This permits a wire lead 125 to be soldered, for example, to a respective terminal 120 after being encased in a short sheath 126 as seen in FIG- URE l, and brought into engagement with the portion 100 for winding the initial coil layer with minimal danger of subsequent snagging, breaking or abrasion of the coatings on the wire of the coil, The lead in end of coil wire is attached, as by soldering, to a terminal lug 120.

The recess 116 in the other arm has a short slot 127, seen in FIGURES 9 and l0, that ends adjacent the outermost layer of coil 98. A short overhang or lip 128 extends over a portion of slot 127 and accommodates a bend in the terminal portion of the coil wire, as indicated at 129, and seen in FIGURE 1, in its extension from the outermost coil layer to the respective terminal lug 120. The wire 129 is snugly looped under the lip 128, thereby minimizing the danger of exposing the connection, and is attached to the adjacent terminal lug 120 by soldering, for example.

The base 22 comprises an integrally formed body 130 having a basically U-shaped configuration deiined by legs 132 and a back 134 at one end of the legs, as seen in FIG- URE 5. A at, depressed rib 136 joins the oppositeends of legs 132 and a central aperture 138 is defined thereby. It will be noted that the body 130 does not comprise a solid block but instead is provided with a top wall 140 from which a depending marginal tlange 142 extends to provide strength and rigidity. The depending flange 142 extends about the major portion of the periphery of the base, and another depending flange 144 extends 'about the periphery of aperture 138, and a depressed rib 146 extends across the aperture 138 between portions of ange 144. Flanges 142 and 144 are joined by ribs 148 and 149 located at the mid portion of back 134 and the respective legs 132 respectively. Elimination of the central portion of body 130 defined by aperture 138 and the portions between the peripheral flanges 142 and 146 permits a savings both in material and reduction in weight.

One end of each leg 132 adjacent to rib 136 is provided with a pair of apertures 150 and 152. Aperture 150 permits the terminal structure 72 and terminal piece 74 to be fastened to the top wall of base 22 by means of an eyelet or rivet 153, which also firmly secures the eyelet end of the looped wire 70 to the base. The terminal structure 72 threadingly carries a screw 155 which may extend into aperture 152 for the purpose of fastening an external electrical connection to the terminal 72, and by wire 70 to the blade 37. The rib 136 has a pair of apertures 155 which permit the auxiliary switch assembly 28 to be mounted on base 22, by the screws 59.

Projecting upwardly from the top wall 140, and adjacent each set of apertures 150 and 152, is a hollow rectangular post 156 on respective legs 132. The posts 156 each have a recessed top wall 158, spaced above wall 140, and upon which the anges 92 of the heelpiece 84 rest. The top wall 158 has an aperture 160 so that the heelpieces and coil assembly may be fastened thereon by a screw threaded into apertures 93 on flanges 92. The rectangular nature of the post wall aids in preventing rotation Aof the anges 92, while a notch 164 therein permits the flanges 92 to be inserted, within the confines of 6 the post. It will be noted that the wall of each post 158 is provided with a notch 165, above which the armature ledges are located when the relay is assembled, and which also serves to limit or stop excessive displacement of the armature 46 away from its pivot edge 85.

In addition, there is located on each leg 132 a hollow post 166, which supports the bobbin arms 112 and 114 when the ield piece flanges 92 are resting on Walls 158, with said arms at a level above wall 140. The posts are hollow and the top wall thereof is provided with an aperture 167 so that the screws 121 associated with the terminal lugs may be adequately tightened for securing an external electrical connection thereto. The terminal lugs 120 are each provided with a threaded formation to receive the screws, and these formations extend into the apertures 117 for tight engagement with the respective arms 112 and 114. It will be noted that the wire loop 70 passes between a respective pair of posts 156 and 166 so that it is protected from inadvertent damage by physical contact. The surfaces of these posts are smooth so that unnecessary abraiding of the wire loop 70 does not occur.

The legs 132 are each provided with suitable apertures 168 and 170. The aperture 168 permits the terminal structures 26 to be mounted on wall 140 by means of a respective eyelet or rivet 172. The aperture 170 permits a screw.174 to be tightly threaded through terminal structure 26 for fastening an electrical connection thereto. An aperture V permits the back of contact 35 to be received in the top wall 140 so that the bottom wall of terminal structure 26 is ush with the wall 140. 1- The back end 134 of base 22 is provided with a hollow post 178 adjacent each of the respective opposite corners. These posts are provided with top walls 180 above wall 140 and in which apertures 182 and 184 are provided. Aperture 182 permits the terminal structure 24 to be fastened to the post 178 by means of an eyelet or rivet 186. Aperture 184 permits a screw 188 threadingly carried by structure 24 to be tightened for completing an electrical connection to the contact 34.

The legs 132 are also each provided with a suitable aperture adjacent the rib 146 to permit the base 22 and the assemblies carried thereby to be secured to a suitable mounting. It will be noted that the aperture 190 extends completely through the body 130 of base 22 and that apertures 152, 167, 170 and 184 each communicate with opposite sides of the base 22. Thus, if base 22, together with the relay coil and heelpiece assembly and the various terminal structures 24, 26, 72, and terminal lugs 120, are mounted on a supporting panel, electrical connections to the various terminal structures may be established by screws threaded into the respective termi nal structures from the opposite or bottom side of base 22. This considerably `facilitates and eliminates wiring problems. Thus the relay 20, together with numerous others, may be assembled on a common panel in which sui-table apertures are provided. In the installed position one side or the other of the terminal structures may be inaccessible or diflicult to reach. By designing the base to enable wiring from either side thereof, the wiring problem is substantially reduced.

In operation the coil 98 is energized by the completion of a circuit to the terminals 120 to thereby create a magnetic circuit through the core 94, heelpiece 84 and the armature 46. As the `armature 46 is attracted to the core 94, the insulator plate 44 moves therewith to carry switch blades 37 upward against the bias of spring 82. The contacts 36 separate from the contacts 35 to open any circuit therethrough and, in turn, the contacts 38 are brought into engagement with contacts 34 to prepare or complete a lcircuit therethrough.

As the contacts 38 are engaged with contacts 34 before the armature encounters the core 94, the blades 37 cease their upward movement, while the armature continues to carry the insulator plate 44 and posts 40 upward While relieving tension on springs 50. As the insulator plate 44 continues to pivot upwards, While blades 37 remain substantially stationary, the posts 40 bear against the edges of the aperturev in blades 37 while the insulator plate 44y may bear against they back end, of blades 37. This causes a slight translational movement of the blades 37 in a forward direction about posts 40-to thereby move contact 38 across contact 34 and` create a wiping engagement or contact which insures providing good contact and completion of an electrical circuit.

Also, as the insulator plate 44 moves it carries` projection 55A away from spring blade 56y of the auxiliary switch 28. The tension in` the blade 56 causes it to follow the movement thereby separating contact 63 from 65 and engages contact 62 with contact 64, thereby controlling any auxiliary circuits connected thereto.

On de-energization of thek coil 98, the magnetic field is of course terminated and the armature 46 is now pivoted by spring 82. tomovethe switch blades 37 back to their normal posit-ion with contact 36 engaged with the contact 35. Likewise, the downward movement of projection 55 moves the spring 56 of the auxiliary switch back to normal so that the contact 632 is re-engaged with contact 65.

To test the operation of the relay 20 without energizing the coil, the tab 81 is manually pressed downward against the tension 'of spring 82. This rotates the armature 46 as on energization of the coil. Due to the relationship of the ledges 82a and the setback or stop 165 on posts 156, the armature 46 will not be separated from the heelpiece 84' but,v instead, the armature willrotate to simulate its operated condition without need for the operator to insert any instrumentv between the armature and base to operate the armature directly, thereby avoiding contact with the blades and the danger of electrical shock while displacement of the armature from the heelpiece is prevented.

The relay embodying the present invention, in addition to the advantages above set forth, is of reduced size and weight, durable and efficient inv use, and is relatively economical to manufacture.

Although I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it manifestly is capable of modification and rearrangement without de.- parting from the spirit and `scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood aslimiting the invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as I, may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A relay assembly comprising an insulating base a bobbin having a core inserted therethrough and a coil wound thereon, an L-shaped heelpiece with one leg carrying said core and said bobbin above said base, the other leg arranged parallel to said core. and having a pair of right angle flanges extending below said bobbin for attaching said heelpiece to said base, an armature pivotally mounted on an edge of the other leg intermediate and positioned between said core and base and biased for movement away from said core, an insulating member carried by saidI armature for movement therewith, a pair of switch blade members carried by said insulator and adapted to move longitudinally-with respect to said insulator, means for biasing said switch blade members against, said insulator, a pair of stationary contact members for each switch blade, said contact members being mounted on said base with one contact member mounted above and the other contact member below a respective blade, means for biasing eachswitch blade into contact with a respective one of said contact members and permitting the blades to be moved into a wiping engagement with a respective one of the other contact members in response to movement of said armature, a loop wire having its loop end in contact with a respective switch blade for establishing an electrical connection thereto, a terminal clamp for the other end of each loop wire, said clamp being mounted on said base, an auxiliary switch adapted to be operated by said insulator, and a tab projecting from said armature, above said base, for manually pivoting said armature, insulator and switch blades.

2. For use with a lrelay comprising a base, a heelpiece mounted on the base, a coil mounted on the heelpiecean armature mounted on th-e heelpiece and being pivotable thereon in response to energization and de-energization of the coil, the improvement comprising cooperating means on said armature, on4 said heelpiece and on said base for positively retaining said armature in position on said relay while permitting pivotable move-ment thereof on said heelpiece, said cooperating means incl-uding a confined space defined between and by said base and said heelpiece for receiving said armature, and spaced recesses within said armature Ifor providing pivoted lockingV engagement with said base and said heel piecewhen said armature is positioned within said base.

3. For use wit-h a relay comprising a base, a heelpiece mounted on the base and having an upright leg, a coil mounted on the heelpiece, andan armature mounted on the heelpiece and being pivotable thereon in response to energization and de-energization of said coil, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced flanges projecting outwardly from said upright leg for mounting said heelpiece on said base, a recess insaid heelpiece positioned between said flanges,4 and spacedrecessed portions in said armature carried in said; recess for pivotably retaining said armature on said heelpiece, said armature also having one surface thereof in close proximity to the upperside of said base whereby said armature is pivotably loclced in positionV on said relay.

4. For usev with a relay comprising ak base, a heelpiece mounted on the base and having an upright leg, a coil mounted on the heelpiece, and an armature mounted on the heelpiece and being pivotable thereonA in response to energization andy de-energization of the coil, the improvement comprising mounting flanges extending outwardly from said: leg, means for securing said flanges to the upperside of said base, a recess in said upstanding leg in the space between said flanges, and spaced recessed portions in the pivoted end of said armature being received by said recess and cooperating therewith for pivotably retaining said armature in place on said heelpiece, the lower surface of said armature being spaced in close proximity from the upperside of said base to thereby pivotably lock said armature in place on` said relay.`

5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein said armature includes a tab extending from the pivoted end thereof for permitting manual operation of said relay.

6. For use with a power relay for carrying heavy' current, wherein; said relay comprises a base, a heelpiece mounted on the base, a coil mounted on the heelpiece, and' an armature mounted on said heelpiece and being pivotable thereon in response to energization and de-energization of said coil, the improvement comprising an armature pivotably locked in place on said heelpiece, an insulator member rigidly mounted on said armature, a rigid blade member mounted on said insulator, said blade member having a contact element at one end thereof spring means for resiliently mounting said blade member on said insulator, and a rigid terminal member rigidly mounted' on said base and being ,in substantial alignment with said contact element whereby said contact element is adapted to contact said terminal member upon pivoting movement of said armature, said blade member being substantially prevented from further pivoting movement after said contact element meets said terminal member while said insulator member continues pivoting movement with said armature, said spring means permitting said continued pivoting movement of said insulator member and said armature to thereby cause slight lateral movement of said blade member whereby wiping contact is provided between said contact element and said terminal member.

7. For use with a power relay for carrying heavy currents, wherein said relay comprises a base, a `heelpiece mounted on the base, a coil mounted on the heelpiece, and an armature mounted on said heelpiece and being pivotable thereon in response to energization and de-energization of said coil, the improvement comprising an insulator member rigidly mounted on said armature, a terminal post mounted on said insulator member, an extended rigid blade member received by said terminal post, a spring member mounted on said terminal post for biasing said blade member towards said insulator member, a contact element at the extended end of said blade member, and a rigid terminal member mounted on said base and being in substantial alignment with said contact element, whereby upon pivoting movement of said armature, as said contact element contacts said terminal member, further pivoting movement of said blade member is substantially prevented while said insulator member continues pivoting movement with said armature to thereby cause lateral movement of said blade member which provides wiping contact between said contact element and said terminal member.

`8. The improvement of claim I7 wherein another terminal member is mounted on said base and a flexible elecrtrical connecting member is connected to said another terminal member and to said terminal post to thereby provide electrical connection therebetween.

9. For use with a relay comprising a base, a heelpiece mounted on the base, a coil mounted on the heelpiece, and an armature mounted on said heelpiece and being pivotable thereon in response to energization and de-energization of said coil, the improvement comprising an insulator member rigidly mounted on said armature, a pair of spaced legs provided on said base and dening a space therebetween, an auxiliary switch blade assembly mounted on said base and being positioned in said space, and means on said insulator member for actuating said switch blade assembly in response to pivoting movement of said armature.

10. -For use with a relay comprising a base, a heelpiece mounted on the base, a coil mounted on the heelpiece, and an armature mounted on said heelpiece and being pivotable thereon in response to energization and de-energization of said coil, the improvement comprising an insulator member mounted on said armature, an outwardly extended rigid blade member mounted on said insulator member, a contact element at the free end of said blade member, a terminal member in substantial alignment with said Contact element whereby an electrical circuit is opened and closed in response to the pivoting movement of said armature, said base having a hollow portion centrally thereof, an auxiliary switch assembly mounted on said base and being positioned wit-hin said hollow portion, and a projection on said insulator member for actuating said auxiliary switch assembly in response to pivoting movement of said armature.

11. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said rigid blade member is springably carried by said insulator member to thereby provide for wiping contact between said contact element and said terminal member and said auxiliary switch blade assembly includes a stationary switch blade member and a moving switch blade member, said moving switch blade member being actuated by said projection on said insulator member for opening and closing the auxiliary electrical circuit which includes said stationary switch blade member and said -moving switch blade member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,676,340 7/28 Lindner 200-87 2,275,924 3/42 Seeley 200-87 2,377,137 5/45 Eaton 200-87 2,444,198 6/ 48 Hasselhorn 317-165 2,503,632 4/ 50 Prather 200--87` 2,632,822 5/53 Yingst 20087 2,833,881 5/58 IRay 200-87 2,914,632 11/59 Neumann 200-166 2,946,872 7/60 Siebers 2'00-87 2,969,444 :1/ 61 Deissler 200-87 3,014,103 12/ 61 Moran et al. 20G-87 3,036,246 l5/62 Valleau 317-158 3,054,027 -9/62 Barrick et al 317--158 3,088,007 4/ 63 Koertge 200-87 l3,129,363 4/64 Sebesta 317-198 3,133,172 5/64 Williams et al 200g-87 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner. 

2. FOR USE WITH A RELAY COMPRISING A BASE, A HEELPIECE MOUNTED ON THE BASE, A COIL MOUNTED ON THE HEELPIECE, AN ARMATURE MOUNTED ON THE HEELPIECE AND BEING PIVOTABLE THEREON, IN RESPONSE TO ENRGIZATION AND DE-ENERGIZATION OF THE COIL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING COOPERATING MEANS ON SAID ARMATURE, ON SAID HEELPIECE AND ON SAID BASE FOR POSITIVELY RETAINING SAID ARMATURE IN POSITION ON SAID RELAY WHILE PERMITTING PIVOTABLE MOVEMENT THEREOF ON SAID HEELPIECE, SAID COOPERATING MEANS INCLUDING A CONFINED SPACE DEFINED BETWEEN AND BY SAID BASE AND SAID HEELPIECE FOR RECEIVING SAID ARMATURE, AND SPACED RECESSES WITHIN SAID ARMATURE FOR PROVIDING PIVOTED LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BASE AND SAID HEEL PIECE WHEN SAID ARMATURE IS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID BASE. 